The Process

Having developed many Websites, the Morgan Direct team is well qualified to help you think through your Website project and set a course of action. There are usually 9 steps in the Website development process, and it often looks something like this:

STEP 1: Initial Consultation
It starts with a thorough understanding of what you want to accomplish. Remember, we've got some marketing and PR types among our ranks, and they get their kicks thinking about the "big picture" Website stuff. During this phase we also discuss some of the logistics of site development, such as domain registration, whether or not you need email boxes, and timelines for completion.

STEP 2: Technical Review
Once we understand what the site is supposed to do and whom you're targeting, we can move in to the technical review, outlining the site's overall functional requirements. We create a Scope of Work that addresses all of the items the client wants to be able to control through the Content Management System and take into consideration any security, e-commerce or other programming-related customization.

STEP 3: Design Considerations
With the technical considerations nailed down, the aesthetics of the site begin to come together. This piece of the project addresses how the site will look and how users will navigate through the links. During this phase we talk about your logo, brand colors, photography library, and site flow. We're particularly concerned with the layout of the front page of the site and the structure of an internal page, which serves as a model for nearly all internal content pages.

STEP 4: Client Review
Once we have the design mock-ups in place, we send these initial layouts to the client for review. Before we commence with the programming integration, we want to make sure you're comfortable with how the site looks - the link structure, colors, content placement, etc.

STEP 5: Content Management Systems and Custom Programming
With design approval in-hand, we mesh the programming of the site with the aesthetics, which (for most sites) means integrating an easy-to-use content management systems - also known as a CMS. This part of the site can only be accessed by authorized users via username and password. It is this part of the development process the sets us apart from many other web development firms, as our goal is to empower our customers rather than make them dependent upon us for getting content updated on their sites. Beyond integration of a CMS, during this phase we also plug in any custom programming needs, such as e-commerce, information searches, and any number of other applications.

STEP 6: CMS Training
What good is a CMS if you don't know how to get the most out of it? That's why we take the time to make sure our clients are trained on the various elements of the CMS that drives their site. Training can be done either in person or over the phone. We generally conduct training with fewer than five people at a time, which allows ample room for questions along the way. Training takes 45 minutes to an hour. During this session we also want to verify email setup and domain transfer particulars.

STEP 7: Content Upload
Now that your site is both designed and programmed, it's time to add the content. If you're moving content from an existing site, it's often a matter of copying and pasting information. Bear in mind that each Website has its own set of content styles (rules governing how information appears on the page), which means that not all content with transition in the same display format from one site to the next. If you're starting from scratch with a new Website, this is the phase wherein you focus on copywriting and image/graphic upload.

STEP 8: Go Live
When your content is in place and you're ready to publish the site, just give us a call and we'll schedule a "go live date." We prefer to have at least three days notice, which give us time to do a thorough review of the site and plan for a smooth launch. Ideally, we aim to push sites live in the middle of the week so we can guarantee someone will be in the office as the site resolves. Allow 24 to 48 hours for a site to be fully visible across the Internet.

STEP 9: Live Site Review
With your new site up and running, we take the time to click through your site to confirm that the links are in good shape and the content has posted cleanly. From this point on you will be able to access your own content and keep it current at a pace that suits your organization. Enjoy!